DWI charge after pedestrian hit

Updated 6:13 pm, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NORTH GREENBUSH — A man who allegedly struck a pedestrian Tuesday night with his plow truck on Route 4 was charged with felony vehicular assault and DWI, police said.

Benjamin Bornhorst, 27, remained at the scene until emergency workers arrived, but then left and was arrested by police as he drove his Ford F-250 pickup truck on Route 4 about two miles from the accident scene, said North Greenbush Police Chief Rocco Fragomeni.

Bornhorst failed a field sobriety test and was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated; second-degree vehicular assault and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, both felonies; as well as the violation of moving from his designated lane unsafely, Fragomeni said. Police confirmed that Bornhorst is the North Greenbush Ambulance Association chief.

The pedestrian, Steven Ernye, 53, of Defreestville, suffered broken bones and deep gashes to his upper torso after being struck by the plow blade, Fragomeni said. "He was in excruciating pain and in and out of consciousness," although his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, said Fragomeni, who was at the scene. Ernye was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital.

The accident occurred around 8 p.m. as Bornhorst was driving on Route 4 near a Cumberland Farms store and Sunoco gas station and Ernye was walking north along the road, Fragomeni said.

Bornhorst and a few motorists stopped, but the driver left after EMTs arrived to treat Ernye.

"We're still trying to determine if he (Bornhorst) did anything to help the victim at the scene. We're not 100 percent sure about how long he stayed," Fragomeni said. When police arrived, Bornhorst was gone. Witnesses gave officers a description of his truck and he was quickly caught about two miles away heading north on Route 4. Bornhorst did not resist arrest, Fragomeni said.

A blood sample also was taken from Bornhorst, but his blood alcohol level will not be determined for a few weeks, Fragomeni said.

Bornhorst was arraigned and posted $2,000 bail. He is scheduled to be back in Town Court on Tuesday. Anyone who saw the accident is asked to call North Greenbush police at 283-5323.